East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson joined with MPs from across the House of Commons and the motoring journalist Quentin Wilson to present a petition at 10 Downing Street calling on the Government to cut fuel duty.

Sammy Wilson said: “The UK has the highest duty on diesel and the second highest duty on petrol in the European Union.

“We in Northern Ireland also face some of the higest fuel prices within the United Kingdom so people in this part of the UK are hit the hardest in the whole of Europe when it comes to fuel.

“This petition presented to 10 Downing Street calls for a 3p cut in fuel duty; something which would not only benefit households but would give a direct boost to the economy with a 0.2% increase in GDP and 70,000 jobs created.

This is an issue affecting literally millions of people across the UK and the Government must sit up and take notice,” said Mr Wilson.

A cut in fuel duty would not have any impact on public services as it would be self-financing within just 12 months.

Next week the Chancellor will be announcing the Budget to Parliament and we would hope that he will not continue to ignore the overwhelming research showing the benefits of such a move.’